Biantan: Do not miss Becks vs Azkals in Manila

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

LONDON -- I got two tickets for myself and my wife during the 2006 Charity Shield match between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Wembley stadium.

The Charity Shield is the annual match in the England to signal the start of the football season. The top two teams the past season, the FA Cup champion and the Premier League champion see action in a charity match.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

Since it was the battle between the top two English teams then --Manchester United and Chelsea, tickets were as rare as gold. All the tickets were sold out weeks before the match, only to Manchester United and Chelsea fans.

My wife Virma was dying to see Cristiano Ronaldo's legs -- that's why I hunted for tickets in the black market. Hundreds of ticket hoarders also roam around the cyberspace and I managed to purchase two tickets for 100 pounds each (around P6,500 each).

It was a once in a lifetime experience as we saw Wembley in its majesty. We got seats just two meters away from the corner flag. I could have spanked Cristiano Ronaldo's bottom if I wanted to.

The only drawback was that we bought tickets on the Chelsea side of the stadium. We were surrounded by thousands of screaming Blue fans and we were wearing red shirts. I was wearing an England red jersey and my wife was wearing a Man United home shirt.

I only realized then few minutes before kickoff because the guy who sold tickets to me appeared only 30 minutes before kickoff. So I hurriedly bought my wife a white England jersey at Sports Direct store 15 minutes before Wembley crowd sang the God Bless the Queen anthem. At least, we were safe when we watched the entire match and avoided a lynching mob out from Chelsea supporters.

It was an experience that I could tell over and over again to anyone. I could even tell my grandchildren and great grandchildren until they get fed up with me and kick my backside. It was priceless. The P13,000 I spent for the tickets alone plus the snacks and the transportation is nothing compared to the experience.

On the 3rd of December, David Beckham and the LA Galaxy will visit Manila to play a friendly match against our beloved Azkals. The most expensive tickets will cost P15,500 while the cheapest is P2,000.

One of the best seats in the grandstand at P15,500, costs more than double than the Charity Shields ticket between Man United and Chelsea in 2006. But of course, this kind of prize is usually not for ordinary fans. It is usually reserved for the match sponsors.

For example if San Miguel will sponsor the match, they usually can hang their advertising banners and get the best seats in the grandstand where their people and their families can watch the game.

There are also tickets for other seats. They are for P5,000, P9,500, and P10,500. The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is capitalizing on the popularity of the Azkals to attract a sizeable crowd to watch the once in a lifetime match. The PFF also is investing a lot of money for this match.

Bringing David Beckham, Landon Danovan, Robbie Keane and the entire LA Galaxy team to Manila is expensive. But watching them play, especially David Beckham is priceless. I have been working and living in England for more than 10 years now but I have not watched Becks kick a football.

Paying for the Azkals vs LA Galaxy match is just like watching an ordinary Premier League match. The last time I watched my neighbor the Tottenham Hotspurs play a Premiership match three years ago I paid 45 pounds sterling (P3,000) for a very uncomfortable seat.

Paying P2,000 for the cheapest seat at the Rizal Memorial stadium is not that bad. With the Christmas bonus, the 13th month pay, the sick leave pay coming, the ordinary football fans in Manila can afford that. If only I have more annual leave left I would fly to watch Becks and company battle the Azkals.

Just let the rich patrons buy the P10,500, P9,500 and the P5,000 tickets. Kaholeros and Kaholeras bring your drums, preserve your voices and watch the match at the stands. (Do not forget to bring your raincoats.) Nobody knows this might be Beckham's first and last match in the Philippines.

Then, when you grow old you can tell your grand children and great grand children that you have seen a legend play in Manila. GOD BLESS l.biantan@gmail.com